The body of a man's been found in thick bush on Mount Maunganui.

An investigation is underway and police are describing it at this stage as a sudden death - they're not saying it's suspicious.

Police were called by a member of the public who'd found the man on the northern face of the mountain, midway up its side, about 7.15 last night.

Search and Rescue, along with the fire service, were called in to help recover the body due to its difficult location.

The walking tracks around the mount were closed for the duration of the operation until the man was recovered from the mountain about 11:30pm.